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I've got this cool twist on holiday cookies - flipped gingerbread reindeers that'll make everyone at your party smile. Just turn regular gingerbread men upside down and boom - you've got adorable reindeers! The warm spices mixed with sweet sticky molasses and chocolate icing make them taste just as good as they look.
Holiday Wonder
These upside-down reindeer treats have become our must-have Christmas tradition. My kids go crazy helping with the decorating part, and I love watching guests' faces light up when they figure out the upside-down trick. It's such a simple flip but adds so much fun to our holiday dessert table.
What You'll Need
- Butter: 12 tablespoons softened to room temp.
- Brown Sugar: 3/4 cup firmly packed.
- Vanilla: 2 teaspoons real extract.
- Egg: 1 large not cold from fridge.
- Molasses: 1/3 cup for that deep flavor.
- Flour: 2 1/2 cups properly measured.
- Spices: Tasty mix of cinnamon and ginger.
- Decorations: All those cute bits that make them pop.
Let's Start Baking
- Add the Magic
- Put on those finishing touches that bring your cookies to life.
- Make It Pretty
- Turn your cookies into cute little reindeer faces.
- Bake to Perfection
- Look for that nice golden edge before taking them out.
- Shape with Care
- Take your time rolling and cutting for best results.
- Create Your Base
- Stir everything together with care until well mixed.
Success Secrets
Want perfect reindeer cookies? Don't rush the chilling time. Sticking them in the freezer helps them keep their shape while they bake. And take your time with decorating - that's how each reindeer gets its own special look.
Make Them Your Own
Go ahead and play around with different spices or decorating ideas. You can give each reindeer a different face or expression. The best part about these cookies is making each batch uniquely yours.
Share the Love
These cute reindeers make awesome presents. Pack them up in pretty holiday containers or put together little decorating kits for friends. There's something extra sweet about giving these fun treats to people you care about during Christmas time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why should the dough be frozen before baking?
Freezing keeps the shapes steady while baking, so the designs stay sharp and reindeer-like.
- → Do I have to use meringue powder?
Meringue powder helps harden the frosting, but it’s not required. The icing will still work fine without it.
- → How long do these last?
Once the frosting has set, these cookies stay fresh for 3 days in a sealed container. Perfect for sharing!
- → Can I leave out the hazelnut liquor?
Absolutely! You don’t need the hazelnut liquor. Skip it, and your icing will still turn out great.
- → Why salted butter instead of unsalted?
The salt in the butter enhances the spiced flavor. If you only have unsalted butter, just add a little extra salt to the mix.